Derek Stoner is a kind-hearted and spirited 45-year-old from Ohio living with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. In 2002, while working as a warehouse manager, he woke up with a numb right hand. He didn’t think anything of it, as it is common to wake up with pins and needles if you sleep on your arm wrong. However, at the end of the day, his hand was still numb. His job did not provide health insurance, so he did not immediately go to the doctor. As concerns grew around the mystery of his numb hand, which had lost function at this point, he decided to pursue medical advice. He had gone to many neurologists, all of whom were baffled. Explanations ranged from “the body is a mystery“ to “you could’ve had a mini stroke in your sleep.” He was finally referred to a clinic in Columbus, Ohio that specialized in Multiple Sclerosis. The doctor looked at his many MRI and test results and told him it looked a lot like MS. The only way to be certain would be through a lumbar puncture. However, Derek didn’t have health insurance, and pre-existing conditions were a reason not to be insured. So, the doctor’s advice was not to pursue this diagnosis until he had health insurance. Eventually, he regained the use of his right hand, although the numbness never went away completely. Over the years, he would experience random numbness and other sensations. All of which would eventually go away. In 2006, Derek moved to California to finish his college degree. In 2009, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Planning and started working in the solar industry. When he wasn’t working, he was at the gym, riding his motorcycle, hiking with his dog, or camping. MS was a distant thought.  

In 2012, at the age of 32, Derek experienced double vision. This was concerning because his main form of transportation was a motorcycle. Having obtained health insurance by this point, he went back to the doctor. The first question the doctor asked was “…any other numbness or tingling?” He was then referred to a neurologist and had an MRI scheduled. The MRI was on Monday. Tuesday morning, Derek woke up to this email from the neurologist:

Hi Derek,

I have read your MRI brain and C spine. It is consistent with MS. So we do not need to do a lumbar puncture.

I will talk to you on Wednesday to discuss how to treat it. Meanwhile, could you please go to the lab and get some labs drawn?

Take care.

That was it. Diagnosed in an email. Derek didn’t let this keep him down and maintained his active lifestyle. As the years went on, the disability progressed, and things slowly became more difficult or unachievable. In 2017, he was laid off from his job. Later that year, he started using a cane and could no longer hike. By 2018, he was occasionally using a wheelchair. He could no longer ride his motorcycle, but he was unwilling to give up his passion, so he bought a Harley-Davidson Triglide so that he could still feel the breeze on his knees.

Today, Derek is unable to ride due to the progression of his disability and subsequent loss of function on his entire left side. Derek started drawing and painting again and loves attending live music. He has had great support from his friends and family, who have joined him on this journey.

With these generous donations, Derek will be able to continue his physical training at SCI-FIT, which has been crucial in maintaining his physical baseline. He also wishes to use these funds to finance vehicle modifications (e.g., hand controls) so that he can continue to achieve as much independence as possible.